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Drive is easy and nothing to be worried about. Mt. Rainier was spectacular to me. Flowers unbelievable. We spent 2.5 days there and wished for more. We do like to hike, so if your not planning on doing much hiking, then 1 day might be enough.

While there certainly are some fairly easy hikes at Paradise many are indeed strenuous. Probably the most popular hike from Paradise is Panorama Point. This would certainly not fall into the easy range(most would consider it strenuous). Just look at a trail map, there are many trails that are very strenuous and I'm not talking about hiking on snowfields or glaciers.

There is really only one road and most people enter at Ashford. (yes a couple of other minor roads that don't go very far into the park, I haven't been on those) That road connect with another road to Sunrise area and it is very mild as well. Surely Dayenu has something mixed up.
Mount Rainier is my all time favorite Mountain. Even if you just do one of the short hikes from Paradise area, you are going to see some great wildflowers. Sunrise, would be worth your driving time over to it as well.